Recently, I got the amazing opportunity to interview the new Miss Teen USA Logan West! Not only is she gorgeous and graceful, she is absolutely determined and ready to put her title to good use! She was also Miss Connecticut Teen USA, and becoming Miss Teen USA was just the next step for her. We discussed everything from how she got into pageants to what her go-to outfits might be, and what the future holds for her. From losing who she was to finding it through pageants, Logan has truly become the person she's always wanted to be and you can just tell that she's happier than ever.
She wants to show young girls everywhere that there's nothing wrong with being yourself and that you can do anything you put your mind to, and I am a huge believer in that as well! I also really support her platform, which is to prevent bullying and also bring awareness about how it can affect children but also how to take action when it happens. She herself was a victim of bullying, and she even started her own anti-bullying campaign!
You can listen to the interview below or read it, and I hope you enjoy it!
{Logan West, Miss Teen USA 2012}
Me: Can you tell us about yourself and what you stand for?
Logan: My name is Logan West and I am 18 years old, and I am from Southington, Connecticut. I was a dance major in high school, and what I stand for? First and foremost, I stand for the prevention of bullying. You probably heard I was bullied in middle school, and created a program by the age of 14 that educates students on what exactly bullying is and they can learn how to stop it. But, I am also a firm believer in staying true to who you are. I've lived my life as 100% Logan, and no one else and have always said that no one can beat me at being me, so I am a firm believer at staying true to who I am.
Me: How did you get into pageants?
Logan: I actually read about my first pageant in a newspaper and signed up for it. This is my first time competing as Miss Connecticut Teen USA, and then I was also in the national pageant.
Me: How has your overall experience been?
Logan: Absolutely incredible! I think with every pageant I've competed in, I found a new part of myself. This pageant was truly about having fun. I think this was the first time, only recently have I really found who I am, I think I'm at the age now where I'm really settling into who exactly Logan is so I competed 100% as Logan and it was an incredible feeling just to be on stage.
Me: How does it feel being crowned Miss Teen USA?
Logan: Honestly, it hasn't hit me yet. I feel like i'm living a daydream, it's really kind of weird. But it's absolutely awesome! I can't even tell you how amazing this is! It's incredible!
Me: What are your aspirations in life, after pageants.
Logan: Well, my plan before I won was to go to Pace University to get a BSA in commercial dance, and I want to tour with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company for a while, but ultimately my goal is to be a lawyer for the children and the poor.
Me: How have pageants affected your personality, confidence, & family life?
Logan: It hasn't altered my family life at all. My parents are very big into my sister and I staying grounded no matter what happens to us, so I think that even with pageantry, every time I've won my parents have made sure that I was still the same Logan that I used to be. As far as affecting me, I think my confidence boosts each and every time but I think just being mindful of never being cocky and never being too confident, but really just saying "this is Logan who won, and that's the Logan that everybody loves" so therefore I must stay this Logan.
Me: What's your personal style like, and how has doing pageants affected it?
Logan: I will tell you, I have no sense of personal style. I'm the girl who walks into a store and if I see it on a mannequin, I buy it off of there. I am not good with matching or with colors, I actually tend to wear all black because it's easier. But I actually have a stylist now, so I get to have them pick my clothes for me which is really nice. But as far as me picking my own clothes, it's a disaster.
Me: In your closet, what's your go-to outfit for any occasion?
Logan: I love leggings, but as far as school goes when I was in high school I always wore running shorts. It was comfortable and cute at the same time, and I also love summer dresses.
Me: What are your favorite places to shop?
Logan: I like Express a lot, I like Nordstroms, and Forever21. It's always trendy.
Me: Do you look to any celebrities or magazines for inspiration?
Logan: Not really magazines, but I absolutely love Jessica Alba's style! I follow her on twitter, so I'm always looking at her outfits. But I love her style. She's really cool and relaxed, but she knows how to dress things up and dress things down without being overdone.
Me: Do you prefer shopping alone or in groups with friends?
Logan: With people. Not necessarily with friends all the time, because my friends would probably talk me into buying things I really wouldn't wear, but I enjoy shopping with my mom. She's pretty stylish herself, so she can help me out a bit.
Me: Overall, how will you use your title to make a good impact?
Logan: I'm Miss Teen USA, therefore I'm placed amongst the nation's youth and especially teenagers, and I think in a time when it's easy to get caught up in reality TV and negative role models, I'm here to be a good one. I think that it's important for all girls to know that you don't have to live a luxurious life to be an awesome person. I mean, I grew up as a regular old teenager, but look where I am today. I think it's just helping everybody understand that you don't have to be a celebrity, you don't have to be famous, but to be comfortable in your skin it'll get you where you want to be.
Thank you to the Miss Universe organization for this opportunity and Logan West for doing this interview. Again, congratulations on your new title! I can't wait to see everything you accomplish during your reign!
